Butterflies of India/Thomas Gay, Isaac David Kehimkar and Jagdish Chandra Punetha. New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2008, vi, 72 p., 136 black and white ills., 76 colour plates, (pbk). ISBN 0-19-568801-5.

    Contents: Preface. Introduction. I. Butterfly Species: 1. Swallowtails--the papilios. 2. Whites and yellows--the pierids. 3. Blues--the lycaenids. 4. Milkweed butterflies--the danaids. 5. Browns--the satyrids. 6. Brush-footed butterflies--the nymphalids. 7. Skippers--the hesperiids. II. Preferred larval food plants of some butterflies. III. Variation: 1. Protective adaptations. 2. Mimicry. IV. Butterfly migration. V. Butterflying: 1. How and where to watch butterflies. 2. Gardening for butterflies. 3. Rearing Caterpillars. 4. Photographing butterflies. VI. Butterflies and conservation. Glossary. Index. 

    "Did you know that many butterflies have different forms for the dry and wet seasons? Or they are known to migrate in large numbers? That some feed on poisonous plants when they are caterpillars and become toxic, while other butterflies simply look like their poisonous brethren to scare away predators!

    Butterflies of India introduces us to the fascinating world of butterflies and discusses nearly 100 species commonly found in India. Butterflies from seven groups -- swallowtails, whites and yellows, blues, milkweed butterflies, browns, brush-footed butterflies, and skippers--including rare species like the Kaiser-i-Hind and the White Dragontail are described with accompanying illustrations of butterflies and their larvae. Also included are a colour section on butterflies in their natural surroundings, and sections on how best to rear and photograph butterflies. Young readers, as well as parents, teachers and nature enthusiasts, will find this book informative and absorbing."

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